Optical apparatus provided with a driving unit for moving a lens

ABSTRACT

This specification discloses an optical apparatus provided with a lens unit movable in the direction of the optical axis thereof, a lens barrel, an electromagnetic coil coupled to one of the lens unit and the lens barrel, a driving unit having a magnetic material coupled to the other of the lens unit and the lens barrel, and a guide for slidably guiding the lens unit relative to the lens barrel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a phototaking system of a camera forsilver salt film, a still video camera, a video camera or the like, andparticularly to an optical apparatus provided with a driving unit formoving a lens unit for zooming or focusing or both in a portion of alens barrel.

2. Related Background Art

It has heretofore been usual with the lens driving mechanism of a cameraor the like to transmit the drive force of a motor by a drivingmechanism such as a feed screw or a cam cylinder and a belt and a gearwith the aid of a DC motor or a stepping motor to thereby move afocusing lens or a lens for zooming.

However, such example of the prior art has suffered from problems whichwill hereinafter be described.

Torque created by a DC motor or a stepping motor is generally a driveforce in the direction of rotation, and to rectilinearly move a lens inthe direction of the optic axis, members such as a feed screw and a camhave become separately necessary and it has been difficult to make alens barrel compact.

Also, vibration and noise have been produced from the motor unit, andthe gear unit and torque efficiency has been low, and this has givenrise to a problem that much electric power is consumed.

On the other hand, the applicant has proposed in Japanese Laid-OpenPatent Application No. 58-16208 a mechanism for rotating a lens holdingcylinder helicoid-coupled to a body by the electromagnetic inductionbetween the lens holding cylinder and the outer cylinder thereof tothereby move a lens unit back and forth, but loss of energy occurs inthe helicoid-coupled portion and the movement still exists and thedriving operation is performed in indirect manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a driving devicewhich effects more direct lens driving and suppresses the wastefulconsumption of electric power and can be incorporated into a smallspace, and it is a second object of the present invention to provide anoptical apparatus incorporating the driving device therein.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an opticalsystem incorporating therein a device capable of accurately measuringthe position or the amount of movement of a lens.

The optical apparatus of the present invention is provided with amechanism having an electromagnetic coil of which one end with respectto the optical axis of the lens portion is connected to the lens portionand a magnet and driving the lens portion by a force in the direction ofthe optical axis by the electromagnetic induction between theelectromagnetic coil and the magnet. The magnet may desirably be apermanent magnet.

Further, in some cases, for example, the opposed surfaces of anelectromagnetic coil or a bobbin and a magnet or a yoke constitute aguide mechanism for the lens portion, or for example, a straight guidemechanism provided with a bar and a sleeve is interposed between saidopposed surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment in which the first embodiment isapplied to an optical system.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a vertical cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-Y-X' of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of constituent members.

FIG. 11A is a vertical cross-sectional view of an eighth embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-Y-X' of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a ninth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates the action of a gimbal spring.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate the axial deformation of the gimbal spring.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a modification of the gimbal spring.

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a tenth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 18 shows the assembly of a mechanical system and an electricalsystem according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the eleventh embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the presentinvention, and FIG. 2 shows a view thereof as it is seen in thedirection of the optical axis x. FIG. 3 shows an example of a zoom lenswhich comprises a positive forward lens unit A, a negative variator B, afixed lens unit C and a positive movable lens unit 1 for compensationand focusing. This zoom lens can be applied to lenses of other variouszoom types, and can also be applied to the focusing lens portion of asingle-focus lens. In the following description, the application of adriving actuator DA1 to the lens unit 1 is adopted by way of example,but if as shown in FIG. 3, a driving actuator DA2 is also provided inthe variator B and movement is effected at the same time, zooming willbecome possible.

It is to be understood that each of the lens units A, B and C comprisesone or more single lenses.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 1 designates a lens unitcomprising elements 1a, 1band 1c.

The reference numeral 2 denotes a lens holding cylinder for holding thelens unit 1. The reference numeral 3 designates a coil, and thereference numeral 4 denotes an annular bobbin. The coil 3 is wound onthe bobbin 4 to thereby constitute an electromagnetic coil, and as shownin FIG. 2, the lens holding cylinder 2 and the bobbin 4 are coupledtogether in an area wherein a yoke 6 is absent, by an arm 2a forcoupling.

The reference numeral 5 designates an outer yoke, and the referencenumeral 6 denotes an inner yoke. These yokes extend in the direction ofthe optical axis from a permanent magnet 7. The outer yoke 5 and thepermanent magnet 7 are coupled to a lens barrel 8. In that case, thebobbin 4 forms an annular band about the optical axis, and the inneryoke 6, the outer yoke 5 and accordingly the permanent magnet 7 formportions of the annular band.

In the present embodiment, the inner side of the bobbin 4 and the outerperipheral surface of the inner yoke 6 are polished, and these twocontact with each other to constitute a plain bearing.

Also, a magnetic circuit is formed by the outer yoke 5, the inner yoke 6and the permanent magnet 7. In the present apparatus, the lens, the coiland the yokes are coaxially disposed as described above.

The operation of the present apparatus will now be described. Theelectromagnetic coil comprising the coil 3 and the bobbin 4 is placed ina magnetic flux produced by the magnet 7, and an electric current iscaused to flow from an electric wire, not shown, to the coil 3 in aselected direction, whereby the coil 3, the lens unit 1 and the lensholding cylinder 2 receive a driving force in the direction of theoptical axis. At this time, the yokes which are disposed outside andinside form a closed magnetic circuit and the leakage flux is small andtherefore, a relatively great driving force is produced by smallelectric power. Also, since the lens unit, the coil and the yokes arecoaxially disposed, the driving force is uniformly applied to thecross-sections of the coil and the bobbin.

Further, the apparatus is of such structure that the movement of thelens is guided by the sliding surface between the bobbin 4 and the inneryoke 6, and in this straight guide mechanism as well, the elements arecoaxially disposed and therefore, sliding friction also occurs uniformlyin the cross-section of the coil.

Thus, both the driving force and the sliding frictions produced areaxially-symmetrical with respect to the optical axis and therefore,there is created no force which inclines the lens surface.

Therefore, the lens is movable smoothly and at a high speed in thedirection of the optical axis. Further, the lens holding cylinder andthe constituents for driving force production and straight guide aremade integral with each other, whereby the compactness and light weightof the lens barrel is realized.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, in supplying electric power to the coil,the electromagnetic coil is of such structure that it slides between theedges of the arm 2a of the lens holding cylinder 2 and the yoke 6 inorder to prevent the electromagnetic coil from rotating about theoptical axis.

If a material of small coefficient of friction, for example, fluorineresin, is employed for the bobbin 4 of the present apparatus, the bobbinwill become easier to move. Alternatively, a metal of strong magnetismmay be used to increase torque. In this case, the use of a sinteredmetal of low coefficient of friction impregnated with a lubricant wouldalso be effective.

In the structure shown in FIG. 4, a sheet-like lubricating member 21 isprovided on the surface of contact between the bobbin 4 and the inneryoke 6 to mitigate the above-described friction.

FIGS. 4 and later depict the upper half above the optical axis x, andthe lower half also is of symmetrical structure. The same members asthose previously described are given the same reference numerals.

An example of the case where ball bearings are discretely employed todecrease frictional resistance is shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, thereference numerals 22 and 22' designate ball bearings disposed betweenthe bobbin 4 and the inner yoke 6. One or both of the opposed surfacesof the bobbin 4 and the yoke 6 are formed with grooves in the directionof the optical axis to prevent the coil from rotating in thecircumferential direction and at the same time, prevent the balls of theball bearings from leaning toward a portion.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a lens driving apparatus for guiding movementby the outer peripheral surface of the bobbin. The apparatus of thisfigure is comprised of members similar to those in FIG. 1, with theexception of the absence of the yokes 6 and 7. The direction of turn ofthe coil is similar to that in the first embodiment, and an elongatedpermanent magnet is disposed so that its polarities may split in thedirection of the optical axis X as shown.

In this apparatus, when the coil 3 is electrically energized through adirection selecting switch, not shown, the magnetic field of thepermanent magnet and the magnetic field of the coil 3 act to produce aforce which moves the coil 3 in the direction of the optical axis. Also,the outer peripheral portion of the bobbin 4 contacts with the innerperipheral surface of the magnet 7 to thereby effect the rectilinearguide of the lens movement. The constructions of FIGS. 4 and 5 can alsobe adopted to decrease the friction of the surface of contact. In theconstruction of the present embodiment, a magnetic force is alsoproduced in the radial direction, but since the lens 1, the coil 3 andthe magnet 7 are coaxially disposed, the forces are balancedaxially-symmetrically with optical axis X and it is difficult for aforce which will incline the lens surface to be created.

In the construction of the present apparatus, the permanent magnet isnot a closed magnetic circuit and therefore, the magnetic flux passingthrough the coil becomes small and torque efficiency is low as comparedwith the above-described embodiment, but there are the followingeffects.

Since the bobbin 4 and the lens holding member 2 are formed integrallywith each other and the arm portion 2a need not be provided, it is easyto make these by integral molding. Also, the diameters of the bobbin,the coil and the yokes can be made smaller because of the absence of thearm portion 2a, and this leads to the effect that the lens barrelgenerally becomes compact.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment, and FIG. 8 depicts the plane A-x-A' ofFIG. 7 as it is developed.

The present apparatus is characterized in that it has bars 23, 23' andthe sleeve portion 2b of the holding cylinder 2 as a straight guidemechanism for the lens. This is particularly effective in a video cameraof high image quality, where the eccentricity of the optical axis of thelens is suppressed highly accurately.

The bars 23 and 23' are fixed to the outer cylinder 8 in a directionparallel to the optical axis and mounted on a support member 52. Thesleeve portion 2b can slide on these bars 50 and 51 and therefore, thelens unit 1 and the holding cylinder 2 and a member connected theretoare guided in the direction of the optical axis.

The principle of the driving force generation of the present apparatusis similar to that in the first embodiment, that is, by causing anelectric current to flow to the electromagnetic coil 3, the holdingcylinder 2 holding the lens unit receives a load in the direction of theoptical axis. As previously described, these members are rectilinearlyguided and can therefore be moved stably and smoothly in the directionof the optical axis.

In the present apparatus, the sleeve is made common to a portion of thelens holding cylinder, whereby the number of parts is decreased and thelens barrel is made compact.

Description will now be made of an embodiment in which the amount ofmovement or the stopped position of the moved lens can be detected. Thedetection is done to accurately know the position of the lens moved forzooming, or to confirm the amount of movement of the lens to be movedfor focusing.

FIG. 9A shows the vertical cross-section of a portion of thephoto-taking lens, and FIG. 9B depicts the cross-section taken along theline X-Y-X' of FIG. 9A.

The lens driving unit comprises a fixed portion 42 of a hollowcylindrical shape fixed to a lens barrel 41, and a movable portion 43slidable relative to the fixed portion 42. The fixed portion 42 hasbobbins 44, 45, coils 46, 47 and a stator yoke 48. The bobbins 44 and 45are provided on the opposite sides of the central pole of the statoryoke 48, and the coils 46 and 47 are wound along the peripheral surfacesof the bobbins 44 and 45, respectively, and a voltage may be appliedthereto from terminals 49 and 50. The movable portion 43 has a lens 31with a magnetized optical system holding member 51 disposed insidethereof. The magnetized optical system holding member 51 is, forexample, a plastic magnet, and only a portion of the optical systemholding member 51 may be magnetized. Alternatively, an iron piece may beadhesively secured to the outer peripheral surface of the optical systemholding member 11 and the surface thereof may be Teflon-worked to makeit readily slidable. The lens 31 is held by the optical system holdingmember 51. The fixed portion 42 and the movable portion 43 need notalways be provided over the entire circumference.

The principle of operation of the lens driving unit of the presentembodiment is similar to the principle of operation of an iron core typemotor. The magnet 51 always produces constant magnetic fluxes B_(M1) andB_(M2), and constitutes a magnetic circuit so as to surround the coils46 and 47.

When a DC voltage is applied to the terminals 49 and 50, an electriccurrent flows to the coils 46 and 47, and a magnetic flux B_(C) isproduced by the coils 46 and 47. By changing the direction of theelectric current, the direction of the magnetic flux B_(C) can bechanged. The magnetic fluxes B_(M1) and B_(M2) and the magnetic fluxB_(C) weaken or strengthen each other to thereby produce a thrust in onedirection, and by this thrust, the movable portion 43, and hence, thelens 31, is slidden along the optical axis.

One position detector is a magnetic encoder, and as shown in FIG. 10, aprojected pole portion 51b is provided at one end of the optical systemholding member 51, and a magnetic recording portion 51bmultipole-magnetized in the direction of the optical axis is on thesliding surface of the projected pole portion 51b, and a magnetic sensor54 is provided in the stator yoke 48 in opposed relationship with themagnetic recording portion 51b through a distance at which can bedetected the leakage magnetic field from the magnetic recording portion51b resulting from the sliding movement of the movable portion 43 in thedirection of the optical axis. From the necessity of detection a weakleakage magnetic field from the magnetic recording portion 51b, themagnetic sensor 54 is provided in the stator yoke 48 in such a manner asto be surrounded through a non-magnetic member 53 to prevent theinfluence of the leakage magnetic fields of the magnet 51aand coils 46,47 of the lens driving unit.

As previously described, the optical system holding member 51 serves asthe optical system holding frame, the magnet of the lens drivingapparatus and the magnetic recording portion of the posiiton detector,whereby the lens barrel can be made compact and light in weight as wellas low in cost. Also, when carrying out the present invention, themovable portion 43 can be made long in the direction of the optical axisto thereby suppress the eccentricity thereof in the direction of theoptical axis and thus, there can be provided a stable structure in whichthe fluctuation of the distance between the magnetic recording portion51b and the magnetic sensor 54 is small. Thereby, there can be obtaineda stable position detection signal of high accuracy.

A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 11A and 11B. This embodiment differs from theprevious embodiment in that coils 67 and 68 are provided on a movableportion 63 and that a fixed portion is formed of a magnetic material.

That is, the lens driving unit comprises a fixed portion 62 of hollowcylindrical shape fixed to a lens barrel 61 and a movable portion 63slidable relative to the fixed portion 62. The fixed portion 62 isformed of an iron piece, and the inner peripheral surface thereof is,for example, Teflon-worked to thereby make the movable portion 63readily slidable. The movable portion 63 has bobbins 65, 66, coils 67,68 and a yoke 64. The bobbins 65 and 66 are provided on the oppositesides of the central pole of the yoke 64, and the coils 67 and 68 arewound along the peripheral surfaces of the bobbins 65 and 66,respectively. The coils 67 and 68 are series-connected, and a voltagemay be applied thereto from terminals 69 and 70. The yoke 64 is, forexample, a plastic magnet, and serves also as an optical system holdingmember. The yoke 64 is entirely or partly magnetized, and constitutes amagnetic circuit so as to surround the coils 67 and 68. For example, theyoke 64 may be magnetized so that the central pole may be a north pole,the opposite end poles may be south poles, the diametrically outerperipheral side with respect to the central pole may be a north pole andthe inner peripheral side may be a south pole.

The principle of operation of the present embodiment is similar to thatof the previous embodiments, that is, similar to the principle ofoperation of an iron core type motor.

One position detector is a magnetic encoder, and a projected poleportion 64b is provided at one end of the yoke 64, and a magneticrecording portion multipole-magnetized in the direction of the opticalaxis is on the sliding surface of the projected pole portion 64b, and amagnetic sensor 72 is provided on the fixed portion 62 in opposedrelationship with the magnetic recording portion through a distance atwhich can be detected the leakage magnetic field from the magneticrecording portion resulting from the sliding movement of the movableportion 63 in the direction of the optical axis. From the necessity ofdetecting a weak leakage magnetic field from the magnetic recordingportion, the magnetic sensor 72 is provided on the fixed portion 62 insuch a manner as to be surrounded through a non-magnetic member 73 toprevent the influences of the leakage magnetic fields of the magnet 64aand coils 67, 68 of the lens driving unit.

As previously described, the yoke 64 serves as the optical systemholding frame, the magnet of the lens driving apparatus and the magneticrecording portion of the position detector and thus, the compactness,light weight and low cost of the lens barrel can be achieved. Also, themovable portion 63 can be made long in the direction of the optical axisto thereby suppress the eccentricity in the direction of the opticalaxis and thus, there can be provided a stable structure in which thefluctuation of the distance between the magnetic recording portion 64band the magnetic sensor is small. Thereby, there can be obtained astable position detection signal of high accuracy.

While the above-described embodiments are of a construction in which themovable lens is guided in the direction of the optical axis by a guidemember having a sliding surface, the following embodiment is such thatthe movable lens is supported by a resilient plate. The construction inwhich the movable lens is supported by a resilient plate is effective todecrease friction, but is not very suitable for great movement andtherefore, is effective when it is used for the compensation andfocusing of a zoom lens.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, it is readily understood that a lensholding frame 83 is disposed in the outer cylinder 87 of a lens barreland lenses 84a and 84b are fixed to the holding frame 83.

The lens holding frame 83 is supported in the outer cylinder 87 of thelens barrel by two resilient flat plates, for example, gimbal springs 81and 82. The resilient flat plates 81 and 82, as shown in FIG. 13, haveconcentric cut-out portions 90 indicated by hatching. Accordingly, wherea single resilient flat plate is used as shown in FIG. 14, the holdingframe 83 moves freely in directions z, θ and Ψ shown. However, it isheld in directions x and y with a relatively strong force. So, if tworesilient flat plates are disposed parallel to each other as shown inFIG. 15A and the lens holding frame 83 is fixed thereto, the holdingframe 83 will become unmovable or unrotatable in the directions x, y, θand Ψ and movable only in the direction z. FIG. 15A shows a case wherethe resilient flat plates 81 and 82 are balanced, and FIG. 15B shows astate in which the holding frame 83 has been moved in the direction z.

A permanent magnet 89 far driving the lens holding frame 83 in thedirection of the optic axis is fixed to or embedded in the outerperipheral portion of the holding frame 83. Or it is magnetized. Also,an electromagnet comprising an iron core 85 and a coil 86 wound thereonis disposed correspondingly to the permanent magnet 89.

The resilient flat plates 81 and 82 are formed, for example, fromphosphor bronze or stainless steel plate by etching, or areinexpensively made of plastic molded articles, and a strain gauge 88which is movement distance detecting means is attached to a portionthereof.

The present embodiment is constructed as described above and therefore,when the coil 86 is electrically energized, a magnetic field is producedaround the iron core 85, and by varying that electrically energizedstate, i.e., the polarity of the electromagnet, there are producedattraction and a repulsive force between the electromagnet and thepermanent magnet 89. Therefore, the holding frame 83 to which thepermanent magnet 89 is fixed obtains a driving force relative to theouter cylinder 87 and moves in the direction of the optical axis.Accordingly, the lenses 84a and 84b are moved in the direction of theoptical axis and focusing or the adjustment of the focal lengths ofthese lenses can be accomplished. Also, the strain gauge 88 is attachedto each resilient flat plate and therefore, when the holding frame 83moves in the direction of the optical axis, the amount of deformation ofthe resilient flat plate 81 can be directly detected, and it is possibleto convert this detected value to thereby detect the amount of movementof the lens in the direction of the optical axis.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the resilient flat plate. Accordingto this embodiment, cut-out portions 100 indicated by hatching areformed in an eddy-like shape, that is, are cut out in such a manner thatthe diameter thereof becomes progressively larger. The resilient flatplate of the present embodiment is also used in the same manner as theflat plate shown in FIG. 12 and has a similar effect, but according tothe present embodiment, an arm portion 91asubjected to deformation islonger than that of FIG. 13 and therefore, the lens can be moved with alight driving force and thus, less electric power is required of theactuator.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment in which a single resilient flat plate isused. That is, a lens holding frame 93 is supported at one end thereofby a resilient flat plate 91 and the outer periphery 93a of the otherend portion thereof is axially movably supported by a plurality of guiderollers 101 and 102.

According to the present embodiment, the movements of the lens holdingframe 93 in the aforementioned directions θ and Ψ are restricted by theguide rollers 101 and 102 and therefore, as in the embodiment using tworesilient flat plates, the holding frame 93 is movable only in thedirection of the optical axis.

The other constituents are given the same reference characters and neednot be described. Although not shown, it is apparent that the guiderollers can be replaced by guide pins, bar sleeves or the like.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a strain gauge is used todetect the position or the amount of movement. The strain gauge is knownas what measures strain by utilizing the nature that the resistancevalue of a semiconductor varies when strain is exerted on thesemiconductor.

In a compact rear focus type zoom lens, the lens positioning accuracyrequired is high and for example, with the 8-time zoom for 113' CCDimage pickup element, it is sometimes the case that even a detectionresolving power of the order of several microns is required. Also, inthe auto focusing of the type in which in-focus state is judged from animage signal, a mechanism for vibrating a portion of the lens at a highspeed in the direction of the optical axis (wobbling) is required andtherefore, high detection responsiveness is desired.

The following embodiment provides a construction in which highlyaccurate detection is possible. FIG. 18 shows a construction in whichthe lens holding cylinder of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is supported bythe gimbal springs shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, instead of slidablebearings.

The reference numeral 100 designates a lens unit, and the referencecharacters 100a, 100b and 100c denote component lenses. The referencenumeral 102 designates a holding cylinder, and the reference numeral 105denotes an outer lens barrel.

The reference numerals 131 and 132 designate gimbal springs which, asshown in the front view of FIG. 19, are formed by punching a springplate except for hatched portions, and the characteristic of the gimbalmechanism is such that the freedom of movement in forward and backwarddirections is given. The holding cylinder 102 has its force and rearportions supported on the lens barrel by the gimbal springs 131 and 132.

The reference characters 133a and 133b denote permanent magnets, each ofwhich is formed by cutting out an annular shape by about a quarter of acircle and gluing a north pole and a south pole thereto, and thereference characters 134a, 134b and 135a, 135b designate inner and outeryokes, respectively. The reference numeral 37 denotes an annular bobbin,and the reference numeral 36 designates an electromagnetic coil.

On the other hand, the reference numerals 141 to 144 and 145 to 148denote strain gauges.

The present embodiment is of such structure that the lens unit isdirectly moved by electromagnetic induction, and the voice coil typelinear actuator of a closed magnetic system is constituted by the yokes134a, 134b, 135a, 135b, the permanent magnets 133a, 133b and the coil136.

The electromagnetic coil 36 is wound on the bobbin 37, which is coupledto the lens holding cylinder 102. As mentioned above, the inner band ofa part of each of the gimbal springs 131 and 132 is coupled to the lensholding cylinder 102, and the outer edge thereof is joined to the lensbarrel 105. Accordingly, by a combination of the gimbal springs 131, 132and the holding cylinder, the lens unit can be rectilinearly guided onlyin the direction of the optical axis.

Also, when an electric current is supplied to the coil 36, the lens unitreceives a driving force in the direction of the optical axis.

The structure as shown eliminates any space for sliding and the adverseeffect of friction can be avoided and thus, highly efficient and rapiddriving becomes possible.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the amounts of deformationof the gimbal springs are measured with the strain gauges 141 to 148adhesively secured to four locations on orthogonal lines with the gimbalsprings interposed between each pair of strain gauges on the front andback. The reason why the strain gauges are disposed at four locations isthat consideration is given to a case where the deformation of thegimbal springs is not rotation-symmetrical, and basically, they may bedisposed at one location or at each one location on orthogonal lines.However, to accomplish precise position detection, it is desirable totake the average of four sets, but the circuit is shown with respect toone set as an example.

In the signal processing system, the reference numerals 120 and 121designate detection amplifiers connected to the strain gauges 145 and146, respectively. The reference numerals 122 and 124 denotedifferential type amplifier circuits. The differential type amplifiercircuit 122 is connected to the detection amplifiers 120 and 121. Thereference numeral 123 designates a linearity correction circuit, thereference numeral 125 denotes a control circuit, and the referencenumeral 126 designates a power amplifier circuit.

Basically, the strain gauges may be provided only on one side. However,a method of using a pair of strain gauges to offset the influenceimparted to resistance value by a temperature change is adopted as amethod for eliminating such influence, but this method is notrestrictive. Also, in some cases, the gimbal springs are deformed byvibration to which the entire lens barrel has been subjected, wherebythe resistance values of the strain gauges are varied. Accordingly,depending on the required performance, such a countermeasure may becomenecessary.

So, in the present embodiment, the strain gauges are disposed with thesprings interposed therebetween, and the fact that the influence of thegauges and springs is symmetrical is utilized to detect the differencebetween outputs by the differential amplifier circuit 122, therebyeliminating the influences of temperature changes and the vibration ofthe entire lens barrel.

The output of the differential amplifier circuit 122 is converted into asignal indicative of the lens position by the linearity correctioncircuit 123 and the signal is output. By the above-described operation,the position of the lens unit on the optical axis has been found as anelectrical signal.

Generally, the strain gauge is high in resolving power and also high inreproducibility because the element itself does not produce noise.

Accordingly, the position detection resolving power obtained by thepresent apparatus is of the order of 10⁻⁴⁻ 10⁻⁵ mm, and this is asufficient characteristic for the lens positioning of a camera.

Further, the element itself has no factor which will cause sliding orback-lash and therefore, is quick in detection response and does notaffect the driving condition.

By using the circuits 124, 125 and 126 of FIG. 18, a lens driving systemis formed in a closed loop, and it is also possible to construct asystem which can rapidly accomplish positioning in response to a desiredcommand value. Therefore, rapid wobbling or the like for auto focusingwhich uses, for example, the output of a solid state image pickupelement is also possible.

Strain gauges of the semiconductor type have been taken as an example,but strain gauges utilizing piezo-electric elements may also be used.Also, as shown in FIG. 19, two or more sets of strain gauges may beprovided and set so as to cancel vibrations in multiple directions. Thestrain gauges themselves may also be manufactured integrally withresilient springs as by etching.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical apparatus, comprising:a lens unitmovable in a direction of optical axis thereof; a lens barrel; a drivingmeans comprising one of (i) a combination of an electromagnetic coilcoupled to said lens unit and a magnetic material coupled to said lensbarrel, and (ii) a combination of said electromagnetic coil coupled tosaid lens barrel and said magnetic material coupled to said lens unit;and a guide for slidably guiding the lens unit relative to the lensbarrel, wherein said electromagnetic coil is wound on a bobbin, a yokeextends from said magnetic material, and said guide comprises a surfaceof said yoke which is opposed to said bobbin, and a lubricative sheetbetween said bobbin and said yoke.
 2. An optical apparatus, comprising:alens unit movable in a direction of optical axis thereof; a lens barrel;a driving means comprising one of (i) a combination of anelectromagnetic coil coupled to said lens unit and a magnetic materialcoupled to said lens barrel, and (ii) a combination of saidelectromagnetic coil coupled to said lens barrel and said magneticmaterial coupled to said lens unit; and a guide for slidably guiding thelens unit relative to the lens barrel, said guide comprising a shaft anda journal bearing, said shaft being coupled to said lens barrel, saidjournal bearing being coupled to said lens unit.
 3. An optical apparatuscomprising:a lens barrel; a first lens unit movable in a direction ofoptical axis thereof; a second lens unit movable in a direction ofoptical axis thereof; a first driving unit for driving the first lensunit relative to the lens barrel by electromagnetic induction; a seconddriving unit for driving the second lens unit relative to the lensbarrel by electromagnetic induction; a controller for controlling thefirst and second driving units to move the first lens unit and thesecond lens unit at the same time, wherein said first lens unit variesfocal length of an objective lens, and said second lens unit compensatesfor the movement of image plane and is held in the lens barrel by aresilient member.
 4. An optical apparatus, comprising:a lens barrel; afirst lens unit movable in a direction of optical axis thereof; a secondlens unit movable in a direction of optical axis thereof; a firstdriving unit for driving the first lens unit relative to the lens barrelby electromagnetic induction; a second driving unit for driving thesecond lens unit relative to the lens barrel by electromagneticinduction; a controller for controlling the first and second drivingunits to move the first lens unit and the second lens unit at the sametime, wherein said first lens unit varies focal length of an objectivelens, and said second lens unit compensates for the movement of imageplane and is held in the lens barrel by a resilient member, saidresilient member being a gimbal spring.
 5. An optical apparatus,comprising:a lens barrel; a lens unit movable in a direction of opticalaxis thereof; resilient members engaged with the lens barrel and thelens unit, respectively; a driving unit for driving the lens unitrelative to the lens barrel; and detecting means coupled to theresilient members to detect strain of the resilient members as a signal,said detecting means comprising sensors which are strain gauges.
 6. Anoptical apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said detecting meansoutputs a signal indicative of position or amount of movement of thelens unit.
 7. An optical apparatus according to claim 5, wherein saiddetecting means has a pair of said sensors provided on both surfaces ofthe resilient member.
 8. An optical apparatus, comprising:a lens unitmovable in a direction of optical axis thereof; a lens barrel; a drivingmeans for producing a driving force in an optical axis direction, saiddriving means comprising one of (i) a combination of an electromagneticcoil coupled to said lens unit and a magnetic material coupled to saidlens barrel, and (ii) a combination of said electromagnetic coil coupledto said lens barrel and said magnetic material coupled to said lensunit; and a guide for slidably guiding the lens unit relative to thelens barrel, wherein said electromagnetic coil is wound on a bobbin, ayoke extends from said magnetic material, and said guide includes asurface of said yoke which is opposed to said bobbin.
 9. An opticalapparatus according to claim 8, wherein said guide has a ball bearingbetween said bobbin and said yoke.
 10. An optical apparatus,comprising:a lens unit movable in a direction of optical axis thereof; alens barrel; a driving means for producing a driving force in an opticalaxis direction, said driving means comprising one of (i) a combinationof an electromagnetic coil coupled to said lens unit and a magneticmaterial coupled to said lens barrel, and (ii) a combination of saidelectromagnetic coil coupled to said lens barrel and said magneticmaterial coupled to said lens unit; and a guide for slidably guiding thelens unit relative to the lens barrel, wherein said electromagnetic coilis wound on a bobbin, and said guide comprises a surface of saidmagnetic material which is opposed to said bobbin.